Author: statereporter
South Africa’s expelled Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, has been given 72 hours to leave the US. Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, confirmed to News24 that Pretoria was making arrangements for his return. Once in South Africa, he will be expected to debrief Pretoria. “And then, from there, Pretoria will assess what are the next steps that need to be done and attend to it.” He said Pretoria had received official confirmation from the SA mission in the US late on Friday night that Rasool had been expelled.
Jake Epelle, the founder of TAF Africa, has issued a passionate appeal to Nyesom Wike, urging him to reconsider his approach to political conflicts to avoid causing harm to ordinary citizens. Addressing Wike directly, Epelle stressed the importance of safeguarding public welfare. “Don’t let your children die. Don’t let people stop going to school. Don’t let people stop getting access to social services,” he implored. Epelle, positioning Wike as a political elder, encouraged him to embrace reconciliation over division, using a vivid metaphor to drive home his point. “Slap him with your right, draw him back with your left,”…
The Nigerian federal government has voiced its opposition to the National Assembly’s proposals to establish nearly 200 additional universities across the country, citing concerns about the system becoming overburdened. Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, articulated the government’s stance during a recent press briefing in Abuja, revealing that approximately 200 bills related to the creation of new universities are currently before the National Assembly. Currently, Nigeria has 278 universities, comprising 64 federal, 67 state, and 147 private institutions. The government had previously implemented a one-year freeze on the licensing of new private universities to ensure that only institutions with adequate financial…
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has claimed that some individuals allegedly paid money to secure ministerial appointments in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. El-Rufai made the statement during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he also addressed his ministerial nomination saga and clarified his reasons for declining the offer to serve in Tinubu’s cabinet. Responding to claims that he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) after being snubbed for a ministerial position, el-Rufai insisted he never lobbied or contested for the role. “Yes, that’s what they say, but did I contest for minister? I know some that paid money before…
The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, suspended a facilitator, Mr. Okoroafor Ifeanyichukwu, from work on Friday following a viral video of him harassing a male student. The suspension notice, relayed in a letter with reference FPN/TEDC/80/1 and dated March 14th, 2025, highlighted, “You are hereby suspended from duty as a facilitator in the Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre pending the outcome of investigation into the incident that occurred yesterday 13th March, 2025 at the site of your entrepreneurship training.” The letter, assented by the Director of TEDC, Dr. Okoye P.C., was copied to the Rector, Dean of Student Affairs,…
Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, has announced his willingness to partner with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to bolster opposition politics in Nigeria. Mohammed made this statement on Thursday following a private meeting with Obi at the Government House in Bauchi. He praised Obi’s political approach and his vision for the nation, describing him as a respected figure in Nigerian politics. “We hold him in high regard due to his unique style of politics, his statesmanship, his versatility, and his profound understanding of governance and…
The Senate has vetoed a vote of confidence in its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, thereby affirming his leadership. Akpabio’s affirmation by the Senate was unanimously done during Thursday’s plenary, at the aftermath of a motion placed by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Olalere Oyewumi (Osun West). The decision occurs two days after the suspended Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), reported to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York, asserting that she was suspended for filing allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio. State Reporters…
A Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has ordered the arrest of blogger Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over accusations of defaming gospel artist Mercy Chinwo. The court instructed law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, to apprehend Otse and ensure his appearance in court to address the charges against him. The bench warrant was issued by Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna on Thursday, March 13, 2025, after Otse failed to appear in court despite being summoned on March 5, 2025. Otse’s legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, appealed to the court to withdraw the warrant, pledging to ensure…
The House of Representatives, during its plenary session on Wednesday, has made significant amendments to the South West Development Commission (Establishment) Act by removing four major clauses. The bill, which was initially gazetted for consideration on Tuesday, was fast-tracked and listed for deliberation on Wednesday’s Order Paper. A Supplementary Order Paper was subsequently issued, allowing the bill to proceed to its Third Reading, where it was passed. The South West Development Commission is tasked with managing funds allocated from the Federation Account, including donations and gifts, to address infrastructural damages, ecological challenges, and other developmental issues in the South West…